Attachment A BCAEO. Community Services Block Grant Community Action Plan (CAP) Application

Transcription

1 Attachment A BCAEO Community Services Block Grant Community Action Plan (CAP) Application Fiscal Year 2017

2 STATE OF MICHIGAN Department of Health Human Services Community Services Block Grant Planning Application for FY 2017 Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity Grand Tower Building 235 S. Grand Ave, Suite 202 PO Box Lansing, MI (517) Fax: (517) Submission Date: Grant Term: October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017 Submit the CAP electronically to the MDHHS-BCAEO mailbox. Use current forms. Documents must be submitted in their original format (word/excel). A-1 Contract Number: CSBG Year 4 Federal ID: Agency Name: Agency Address: Ottawa County Community Action Agency James St., Suite 300, Holland, MI Agency Phone: (616) Fax: (616) Executive Director: William Raymond/Paula Huyser Title: Executive Director/ Interim Director braymond@miottawa.org / phuyser@miottawa.org Phone: (616) / (616) Chief Fiscal Officer: Karen Karasinski Title: Fiscal Services Director kkarasinski@miottawa.org Phone: (616) Authorized Signer: Joseph Baumann Title: Chair, Bd. of Commissioners Geographic Area to be served: jbaumann@miottawa.org Phone: (616) All of Ottawa County in the state of Michigan Certification (Check A,B, or C as appropriate) Authority: PA 230 of 1981 A. Approved by the Agency s Governing Board Completion: Mandatory Penalty: No Funds Released B. Approved by the Agency s Advisory Board The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services will not discriminate against any individual or group because of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, height, weight, marital status, C. Will be approved by the Agency s Board on: disability or political beliefs. 1 P age

3 CSBG Planning Application Coversheet and Checklist: A-2 Attachment Name of Document Attachments Yes No A-1 Community Action Agency (CAA) Identification and Contact Information X A-2 Completed Checklist X A-3 CSBG Direct Program Activities Copies of MOUs or Subcontracts N/A A-4 Community Needs Assessment Form Most recent copy should be uploaded in FACSPro per the Annual Agency Checklist X A-5 Service Delivery System X A-6 Service Categories X A-7 Assurance of Funds X A-8 Linkages X A-9 Coordination & Collaboration Partners must be entered in FACSPro X A-10 Community Based Initiatives X A-11 Coordination with Employment & Training Activities X A-12 Specific Assistance N/A A-13 Notice of Public Hearing/Public Comment Period Copy of Notices required X A-14 New Program Questions N/A B CSBG Expenditure Plan Spreadsheet (With required Service Categories) Complete Template X C Logic Models Complete in FACSPro X 2 P age

4 CSBG Direct Program Activities: If you have a subcontract worth $25,000 or more, please list the activity and the name and address of each subcontractor below: A-3 (A copy of the subcontract must also be submitted with your plan.) If your subcontract is not yet in place, please submit your draft template. Original to be submitted once complete. Activity Name Address N/A 3 P age

5 Community Assessment (Section 676(b)(11) of the CSBG Act): A Community Assessment is defined as a comprehensive assessment of community needs and resources as defined in the CSBG Act. Regular assessment of needs and resources at the community level is the foundation of Community Action and a vital management and leadership tool that is used across the organization and utilized by the community to set the course for both CSBG and all agency resources. 1. Has your agency conducted a Community Assessment (CA) and issued a report within the past 3 years? Yes No What is the date of the latest CA approved by the governing board? As part of the CA, did your agency collect and include current data specific to the following for the service area? (Check all that apply) Data on Poverty Data on Gender Data on Age Data on Race/Ethnicity How did you collect and include this data? A number of data resources were used to produce the 2015 United Way Community Assessment conducted for Ottawa County. These data sources include US Census Bureau data, ALICE Survival Budget information, Child Development Services- Lakeshore Head Start Community Needs Assessment , Michigan Department of Education data, Ottawa Area Intermediate School district data, and many more. All sources of data are properly referenced in the 2015 Community Assessment. A-4 3. Describe how your agency collected and analyzed both qualitative and quantitative data on the geographic service area(s) for the CA? Applicable data related to different areas of focus in the 2015 Community Assessment were utilized. Random household Ottawa County surveys were also conducted as part of the process. 4. List and summarize the community needs assessments and other client and community needs studies your agency is currently using for annual and long range strategic planning: The Community Assessment and data from the Call Annual Report has consistently been used by OCCAA for analyzing annual and long-range strategic planning. The information from the Call Annual Report is specifically relevant as it tracks top ten service requests and top ten unmet need requests. 5. From the community assessments and client and community needs studies currently being used by your agency for annual and long range strategic planning: describe the top three emerging and ongoing needs of the low income families and individuals residing in your agency service area and 4 P age

6 # describe the programs that are ongoing or being implemented to address these needs and any partner agencies: Top Three Needs 1. Electric & gas service payment assistance Program to Address Top Need Various OCCAA Utility Assistance grants (MEAP, LCA-deliverable fuel, EFSP, THAW, Walk for Warmth, HBPW-CAP, ZBPW private grant) List your agency or a partner agency (or both) providing the program or service to address the need? OCCAA and a few other Utility Assistance provider agencies 2. Rent Payment Assistance Emergency Solutions Grant/MSHDA OCCAA is the fiduciary for the grant, Information & Referral 3. Food Pantry Assistance OCCAA Food Programs (CSFP/Seniors and TEFAP The Emergency Food Assistance Program Good Samaritan Ministries, Community Action House, The Salvation Army, MDHHS, other local non-profits OCCAA and partner food pantries and programs (Community Action House, Coopersville Cares, Love INC of the Tri-Cities, Jehovah Jireh Food Pantry, His Harvest Stand), Mobile Food Pantry 5 P age

7 Service Delivery System: (Section 676(b)(5) of the CSBG Act) Describe the OVERALL Service Delivery System for services provided or coordinated with CSBG funds, targeted to low-income families in the state please include specific examples. A-5 Describe the agency s service delivery system for services provided with or coordinated with CSBG funds. Please include: 1. Where and how do the clients enter into your agency s system? Office Outreach Center Mobile Site On-line Application Other: Telephone, agency general address 6 P age Ottawa County Community Action Agency offers several options by which clients can enter the agency s service system. These options include: telephoning the agency, walk-in hours during standard office times, utilizing the agency s general address, and referral from other social service agencies. The agency s service delivery system targeted to low-income individuals and families in Ottawa County is typically described in terms of four quadrants of Ottawa County northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast. Each quadrant is somewhat unique in its demographics. The southwest quadrant is primarily urban and contains the largest city of the county (Holland), which has a moderately high percentage of minority population. At times it is necessary for service providers, including OCCAA, to offer services bilingually in English and Spanish to assure comprehensive service provision. The southeast quadrant has two very populous and growing communities making it a large area of the county and one that is considered generally as an affluent area. The northwest quadrant is described as a lakeshore resort-like community with three cities that rely heavily on summer tourism. The northeast quadrant is primarily rural with many farming operations and a number of small towns. This quadrant is also home to Grand Valley State University s main campus, which accompanies a large student population. The main offices of Ottawa County governmental human service agencies, including the Department of Human Services (DHS), Department of Public Health (DPH) and Community Mental Health (CMH) Department are located in the southwest quadrant of the county, although some have satellite offices in other parts of the county and some offer on-line services. Ottawa County Community Action Agency (OCCAA) is located in the same complex as these agencies and as such, is easily able to network with, access, and refer clients to these services. DHS, DPH, CMH and OCCAA provide the core services for lowincome individuals and families throughout Ottawa County. Many customers enter into the service system through referrals from these agencies, as well as by calling CALL of the Lakeshore for assistance. OCCAA personnel are very involved in community collaborative groups, such as the Lakeshore Housing Alliance, and related subcommittees, ensuring that other agency personnel are very familiar with OCCAA s services and are able to make appropriate referrals. All agencies that provide services to the low-income population recognize that working together in a coordinated and collaborative manner is in the best interest of the client. There are two groups, the North Ottawa Case Coordinators and the Holland Area Case

8 Coordinators, that meet about every six to eight weeks to exchange agency information and collaborate on designing intervention plans to address the needs of specific families. OCCAA staff members participate actively in both groups. OCCAA s Executive Director attends the Ottawa County Human Services Coordinating Council meetings. 2. How does your agency perform intake and client eligibility? Intake screening most often occurs by phone or as a walk-in at the OCCAA office. This helps to quickly determine if a household will be eligible for services through a specific program. It is at this time that the applicant is asked for some initial information about total household income and household size. If the household meets the basic eligibility criteria for the program, an appointment is scheduled, for most programs, within 1-3 days and specific documentation must be brought in at the time of the appointment in order to verify income, residency, household size, etc. At the time of the appointment, the OCCAA worker reviews the eligibility documentation carefully and also explains the program, answers any questions and makes appropriate referrals for other internal or external agency services. 3. How does your agency s services enhance and/or differ from those of other providers? The human service network found within Ottawa County is characterized by a strong level of collaboration and an absence of competition and turf issues. Due to its size and the scope of servicing all of Ottawa County, OCCAA often finds itself in a leadership role within the network. Examples include it s leadership role on the Lakeshore Housing Alliance and various subcommittees, involvement of key personnel on various boards and committees, including, the Emergency Food and Shelter Board, the Ottawa County Food Policy Council, the Migrant Resource Council, the Executive Committee for the Continuum of Care body (LHA), the Health and Human Services Coordinating Council of Ottawa County, among others. OCCAA personnel have also been invited to participate in a number of different studies or think-tanks because of its central services to the lowincome population of Ottawa County. Through these partnerships and involvements, OCCAA s services are enhanced by staff members remaining current and engaged in issues impacting the service population. OCCAA s services differ from others in a number of important ways. OCCAA provides a continuum of resources within a single organization with a focus on food security, housing, and self-sufficiency. OCCAA has several grants that provide assistance with energy and housing issues. Each year approximately seven different funds provide support for utility/energy assistance in order to prevent homelessness. The availability of a range of funds allows OCCAA to take a lead role in the community in the area of energy assistance and homelessness prevention. OCCAA s energy assistance clients are encouraged to make an application for the organization s home Weatherization Program if applicable, which often results in freeing up additional resources for the client, and thereby providing the ability to sustain shelter expenses. Homeowners are further encouraged to consider the organization s Home Rehabilitation program. All programs provide for comprehensive energy savings, improved quality of life, and a safer living environment for low-income households. OCCAA is an agency that provides services throughout all of Ottawa County. Other social service agencies in the county are bound more closely to smaller geographical areas in the county. 7 P age

9 Recipients of OCCAA services are evaluated for the need for case management services, and are referred to such services as deemed appropriate by agency staff. There is an increasing demand for intensive case management in the county, primarily through projects serving homeless families and individuals. 4. How does your agency avoid duplication of services in your service area? As mentioned earlier, OCCAA actively participates in both Ottawa County case collaborators groups that meet regularly to share agency/program information. Participation in these groups allows OCCAA to stay abreast of new programs or changes in programs that may affect the population base that it serves. If there was potential for duplication to occur, OCCAA can initiate or participate in discussions to deal with this issue. Ottawa County has traditionally been a county where there is a high degree of communication and cooperation between its social service agencies. 5. How does your agency use data to improve service delivery? OCCAA routinely uses data from the Call of the Lakeshore Annual Report to spot trends and changes in social services within Ottawa county. The Call Annual Report is a comprehensive, concise, and easily read report which highlights data and information that is helpful to the agency when reviewing its service delivery. 6. How does your agency provide bundled services? See description below OCCAA offers a modified bundled services to program recipients. OCCAA routinely screens program participants for eligibilty for other agency services that may be helpful to the household. For example, if a senior citizen receives Utility Assistance, the OCCAA worker will discuss the CSFP program and the Weatherization Program to them to see if they are interested in these programs as well. 7. How does your agency provide or case management? Case management is currently not offered by OCCAA, however, there are other agencies in the community that offer this type of service, particularly as it relates to housing and transitioning out of homelessness. COMPREHENSIVE BUNDLED SERVICES DESCRIPTION Bundled service delivery affords the family opportunity to meet the targets they have set by providing support and access to a comprehensive range of services. These service delivery models have different names and different features in each community, but there are some common elements. Families work with a case manager (note: this staff person may have many different names, including job coach, family support worker, family development specialist, etc.) to set goals and target dates. Once identified for this level of service, the family and staff determine together what services are needed and what are available. Often these services come from other agencies, so the Community Action Agency provides a referral. Progress is tracked regularly and the case manager keeps in touch at least monthly offering encouragement and a sense of shared responsibility. The timeframe for these services is extended beyond a single year of programming. In some agencies, families may have as much as 5 years to complete their goals. 8 P age

10 CSBG Service Categories: There are nine categories of service contained in the CSBG Act; Employment, Education, Income Management, Housing, Emergency Services, Nutrition, Linkages, Self-Sufficiency, and Health. (To insert a page Press Control-Enter together) List all CSBG expenditures by the CSBG Service Categories listed below: This is the planning document for the CSBG Annual report and should include the administration dollars allocated in each category. A-6 Service Category CSBG Funds 1. Employment $ 27, Education $ Income Management $ 39, Housing $ 67, Emergency Services $ 141, Nutrition $ 22, Linkages $ 27, Health $, 18, Self-Sufficiency $ 5,646 TOTAL Program $ 350,446 Of the total CSBG allocation, list the amount of CSBG funds for Administrative Purposes (per a Performance Measure from NASCSP, this percentage should be below 16% 1 nationally): $ 54,147 If the percentage is over the 16% measure, please explain why: N/A Of the total CSBG allocation, list the amount of CSBG funds for Youth Programs (Individuals ages 12 to 18): $ N/A Of the total CSBG allocation, list the amount of CSBG funds for Senior Programs (Individuals ages 55 and up): $ 19, page P age

11 CSBG Assurance of Fund Use: Sections 676(b)(1)(A)&(B) and 676(b)(4) of the CSBG Act) A-7 Funds made available through the grant or allotment will be used to address the needs of youth in lowincome communities Eligible entities in the State will provide information containing an assurance that eligible entities in the State will provide, on an emergency basis, for the provision of such supplies and services, nutritious foods, and related services. The State Plan will assure that CSBG funds will be used to support activities to assist low-income families and individuals through seven programmatic purposes. (see below) 1. Does your agency have a youth program(s)? Yes No If no, please explain why (include referrals to partnering agencies and name of the agencies.) There are several other youth-focused programs that exist in Ottawa County. The number of youth requiring services is relatively low. The other available programs in Ottawa County provide comprehensive services for this population. 2. Does your agency have a nutritional program(s)? Yes No If no, please explain why (include referrals to partnering agencies and name of the agencies.) 3. Does your agency provide emergency services? Yes No If no, please explain why (include referrals to partnering agencies and name of the agencies.) 10 P age

12 CSBG Assurance of Fund Use Continued: 4. Describe how CSBG funds will be used to support activities and programs to assist low-income families and individuals, including families and individuals receiving assistance under Title IV of the Social Security Act, homeless families and migrant or seasonal farmworkers, and elderly low-income individuals and families, and a description of how such activities and programs will enable the families and individuals to become self-sufficient. Please include information about each programmatic purpose. I. Self-sufficiency: OCCAA supports activities and programs to assist low-income families and individuals regarding Self-sufficiency primarily via its TAX Assistance Program and the MI Enrolls Program. The TAX Assistance Program provides qualified tax preparers to assist clients in tax preparation in order to maximize their possible tax refund and tax credits to reduce their tax burden. The MI Enrolls program assists Medicaid eligible clients in navigating the Medicaid health care system. Clients are provided information regarding selection of a health care provider company and a Primary Care Physician. A-7 II. Employment: OCCAA activities that help support low-income families and individuals regarding Employment through the following programs: Migrant Assistance program, Utility Assistance and the TAX Assistance Program. The Migrant Assistance program provides a bridge for basic needs until workers begin their work in the agricultural setting. The Utility Assistance Program provides for the continuance of stable housing for low-income workers. The TAX Assistance Program provides incentive for low-income workers to continue working through qualifying and receiving the Earned Income Tax Credit. III. Education: Efforts to support education for low-income families and individuals occur through both the OCCAA Utility Assistance Program and the TAX Assistance Program. The Utility Assistance Program provides consistency in housing thereby allowing continuation of education of those clients, and their children, enrolled in educational programs. The TAX Assistance Program assists in obtaining IRS allowable education credits for those that qualify. IV. Use of income: 11 P age OCCAA supports low-income households Use of Income purposes mainly through the TAX Assistance Program, Utility Assistance Program, and The Weatherization Program/Energy Education. During the TAX Assistance Program there is the opportunity for the tax preparer to discuss with clients positive options for using their tax refund. The Utility Assistance program encourages the importance of timely bill paying, sound budgeting principles, and energy conservation as means to save money and avoid shutoff status in the future. The Weatherization Program/Energy Education provides practical home energy saving measures installation resulting in lower energy bills. The Energy

13 Education portion provides information to client households on how to reduce energy consumption and cost. V. Housing: Several programs at OCCAA provide support to the low-income population in Ottawa County regarding housing. These programs are: The Weatherization Program, the Community Development Block Grant, the Lower My Bill Program, the Utility Assistance Program, and the CMH/CWIT rental unit inspection program. These programs assist with installation of energy saving measures, home rehabilitation, information on energy savings options, utility bill payment in urgent situations, and assurance of health and safety standards for rental residents. OCCAA also serves as the fiduciary agency for the MSHDA Emergency Solutions Grant that assists those experiencing homelessness. VI. Emergency assistance: OCCAA has consistently provided Emergency Assistance over the years to low-income county residents. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides food to needy families in the community. The Utility Assistance program provides utility bill payment in urgent/emergency situations. The Migrant Assistance Program assists seasonal farm workers with immediate assistance for a variety of practical needs (food, personal care items, clothing, gas fuel, limited medical/dental care). VII. Community participation, including documenting best practices and engaging law enforcement agencies: OCCAA supports Community Participation in a variety of ways. The OCCAA Advisory Board members from the consumer sector represent a portion of this community participation. The agency also supports and encourages community representation on the Lakeshore Housing Alliance, which is the Continuum of Care body of Ottawa County. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) utilizes a SWAP (Sentenced Work Abatement Program) work team from the local Ottawa County jail on a monthly basis to help unload food deliveries and pack food boxes for the monthly commodity food distribution. OCCAA has in the past, and is considering again, community service volunteers through the local court system to work in various capacities that benefit agency programs. 5. For any programs listed in 4. above, are there other agencies in the area running similar programs? Yes No If yes, who and what service? There are a limited number of other agencies in the area that provide similar services. These agencies are limited both in the geographical area they serve in Ottawa County, as well as the allowable population characteristics they can serve. 12 P age

14 The Call Annual Report reported Ottawa County Community Action Agency as its top agency it refers to, and the number of referrals is double the number of the next most commonly referred agency. This is largely because OCCAA serves all of Ottawa County. 13 P age

15 A-8 Linkages: (Section 676(b)(3)(B) of the CSBG Act) Gaps in services are needs (for services or assistance) of low-income persons that have not been met or is not being sufficiently met by either the CAA or other service providers, usually due to lack of staff, funding, or resources. The gaps in services may correspond to the Top Three Needs in the Community Needs Assessment and/or can also be identified by the CAA or a coordinating organization. Describe how linkages will be developed to fill identified gaps in services, through the provision of information, referrals, case management, and follow-up consultations. 1. What are the gaps in service within your service area? There are several gaps in service that affect low-income residents of Ottawa County. The main ones identified are: a) Affordable, Quality Housing/Rent Assistance: Access to affordable housing is both a system challenge and service gap in Ottawa County. Additional affordable housing resources are needed to meet increasing demand. Needed resources include: services to help prevent homelessness due to eviction, foreclosure, or utility shut-off, interim housing options for families that do become homeless, services designed to rehouse homeless families as quickly as possible, case management services designed to help families maintain housing stability, and increased production of affordable housing to meet specific needs. Additionally, there is a continual demand for rental assistance services. Although there are several resources in Ottawa County for rent assistance, the demand for this service far outweighs the available supply. b) Utility Assistance: According to county-specific Call of the Lakeshore data for , requests for utility assistance make up the most common service request of callers. There is a constant demand for utility assistance, both electric and heating assistance. Similar to above, although there are several resources in Ottawa County for utility assistance, the demand for this service far outweighs the supply. c) Transportation: The Call Annual Report indicates that transportation is another services gap in Ottawa County. There are small areas of Ottawa County that are served by public transportation, but there is no comprehensive public transportation system throughout the county. The Call Annual Report reveals that gas money is one of the top five unmet requests. OCCAA is able to make a small impact in this area by providing gas vouchers for agency appointments to clients that reside in out-lying county locations. OCCAA also routinely refers clients to other agencies that have limited assistance available for transportation needs. The need far outweighs the available programs and funding at the current time. 14 P age

16 For the above service gaps, there is not enough funding available to cover the requested need. In other instances, the need is unable to be met because a particular service has temporarily run out of available funding. In some cases, other unmet needs/gaps are unable to be met by the service community due to the absence of a needed service (i.e., transportation assistance or undesignated financial aid), yet in other instances, needs are commonly unable to be met as a result of the household s ineligibility (i.e., household is over/under income guidelines, household lacks sustainable income needed to qualify for housing or utility payment assistance). As described earlier in this Community Action Plan (CAP), OCCAA personnel are closely engaged with a number of service provider collaborative entities as a means to continually assess and plan for meeting key service gaps through partnerships and collaborative efforts. 2. How were gaps in service identified (community needs assessment, customer satisfaction survey, focus group, anecdotal information from customers, partner agencies, etc.)? Service gaps were identified through two primary sources; the 2015 Community Assessment for Ottawa County and the Call of the Lakeshore Annual Report. 3. What mechanisms (strategies) will you employ to fill in gaps in service, specifically: a. Will you use Information and Referral services? If yes, please explain. OCCAA information is available through the Ottawa County website, which provides information and links to other service providers in the region. Information and referrals can also be obtained through CALL of the Lakeshore. Information exchange occurs continuously at various meetings and committees on which OCCAA staff participates, including the Lakeshore Housing Alliance, and two Case Collaboration groups, which meet at regular intervals with the primary purpose of keeping human service personnel apprised of program, service and agency changes and related issues throughout the county. Similar to what was noted in the previous section, referrals can be facilitated using CALL of the Lakeshore. Agencies have the ability to submit current referral information to Call in order to provide timely and accurate information to the low-income individual/family seeking assistance. For example, if an agency is out of funds for a particular need and has updated its information, the individual and/or family would not be referred to that organization and would be saved the frustration of receiving another denial. CALL provides OCCAA with updated reports that identify the types of services requested, and any gaps in services. In addition, referral information and processes are discussed regularly at the Case Collaboration meetings. Finally, in Ottawa County there is a cooperative effort among the social service agencies to place phone calls to verify assistance availability and to make referrals. b. Will you use Case Management? If yes, please explain. 15 P age

17 Without the established linkages among Ottawa County service providers, case management and supportive service assistance would be much less effective. As noted previously, there is a strong coordination network in Ottawa County and it enhances the case management services provided by the various social service agencies in the county. In addition, clients who are involved with case management from an outside agency are often referred for assistance at OCCAA, further strengthening the link. Currently, the case management services offered in Ottawa County focus on housing stabilization and transitioning out of homelessness. c. Will you use Follow Up? If yes, please explain. The primary mechanism that OCCAA uses follow-up consultations is through the use of data collection and retrieval. OCCAA collects data through the FACS Pro system on all clients receiving any of its services. This system has the capacity to retrieve client information in order to perform follow-up contact, as needed. Several other county agencies also enter data into the Michigan State Homelessness Management Information System (MSHMIS). As the fiduciary for the MSHDA Emergency Solutions Grant, OCCAA is responsible for collating and submitting quarterly, bi-annual and annual reports to MSHDA regarding local agency efforts to combat homelessness. 4. How will linkages with other community resources be used to fill the gaps in service? OCCAA programs address the affordable housing gap in a number of different ways. In the recent past, a new group formed in Ottawa County called, Ottawa Housing Next, to explore and strategize different approaches to solving the affordable housing issue. This group is comprised of social service agencies, local governmental entities, businesses and concerned citizens. OCCAA is a participant in this important housing initiative. Organization staff members have been, and continue to be, involved in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness initiative as well. Homelessness Prevention has been, and will continue to be, a primary focus service area of the organization, as it has been documented by researchers that one of the first indicators that a family is at risk of homelessness is a utility shut-off notification. Additionally, OCCAA has enhanced its service delivery in other areas, when funding allows, such as weatherization services and homeownership rehabilitation. Community Action Agency is collaborating with Community Mental Health (CMH) of Ottawa County and The Center for Women in Transition to provide safe and affordable housing for persons with mental illness/developmental disabilities and those experiencing domestic violence, to enable them to live independently and safely by providing housing quality inspections for these rental housing programs. 16 P age

18 Coordination & Collaboration: (Sections 676(b)(9) and 676(b)(3)(C) of the CSBG Act.) It is a requirement of the CSBG Act that CAAs explain how they will coordinate funds/services by collaborating and partnering with other public and private organizations, including faith-based organizations, charitable groups, and community organizations. This information must be entered into FACSPro, which rolls up into the CSBG Annual report see your system admin. 1. Please explain how your agency will coordinate with other organizations within your geographical service area: (Note: You do not have to list your partners here they should be listed in FACSPro). OCCAA is itself a representative of a public entity as a division of the County of Ottawa. As such, at both the administrative and programmatic level, the organization has close ties with each of the other county-based public entities, including DHS, CMH, and Public Health. OCCAA also has an affiliation with the local West Michigan Works!. OCCAA is involved in a partnership with many agencies through the local housing Continuum of Care coordinating body (named the Lakeshore Housing Alliance). The LHA identifies the housing needs of Ottawa County, and designates the lead agency to meet each particular need. All of the participating agencies in the LHA have an understanding that efforts will be coordinated on behalf of the client to meet their needs. OCCAA staff members serve on committees, such as the, Executive Committee, and Special Events Committee, to help meet the needs of the community. CSBG will cover the costs of staff to work with the LHA and respective committees. Currently, OCCAA is the fiduciary agent on behalf of the Lakeshore Housing Alliance relative to administration of the MSHDA Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). This arrangement will continue for the ESG grant year. Formal partnerships (MOU S) are in place with the following organizations for this program: Good Samaritan Ministries, Community Action House, and the Salvation Army of Grand Haven. OCCAA has a representative on the Human Services Coordinating Council, and agency staff participates in one of its standing subcommittees. Other affiliations include being a financial supporting member of CALL of the Lakeshore. CSBG will assist with covering the costs of staff working in these capacities. OCCAA has a formal partnership with Ottawa County Community Mental Health, The Center for Women In Transition, and Good Samaritan Ministries to provide annual housing inspection support to their rental housing programs This partnership helps to ensure the health and safety of the agency program renters/residents. OCCAA is a participant in the Ottawa County Case Collaboration groups. These meetings are held every six to eight weeks in both the northwest and southwest quadrants of the county, and provide a forum to bring agencies together on behalf of individuals and families. The information obtained through these meetings is very valuable in facilitating comprehensive and coordinated assistance to agency clientele. CSBG will cover the costs of staff to participate in the case collaboration meetings. A-9 17 P age

19 Low-income senior citizens of Ottawa County are served by Community Action Agency under formal agreements with Georgetown Township Senior Center, Evergreen Commons, Senior Resources and Four Pointes (North Ottawa County Council on Aging). These agreements allow for the provision of enrichment services that enable seniors to enjoy a more active and productive life. OCCAA coordinates a Walk for Warmth fundraiser annually to generate private funds to prevent utility shut-offs to low-income households. The Walk for Warmth event brings a number of community groups together on the day of the event. 2. Please explain how your agency will form partnerships with other organizations within your geographical service area: (Note: You do not have to list your partners here they should be listed in FACSPro). OCCAA is very active in the Ottawa County social service community and seeks out any opportunity to connect with additional partnerships that will benefit low-income households served by OCCAA. Occasionally a new agency will be introduced to the Case Collaborator s groups, and this is the most common avenue of forging a new partnership. On rare occasion, a new entity will contact OCCAA about partnering or a new program, and OCCAA is committed to checking into any and all partnerships that will enhance OCCAA services. 3. Please list any new partnerships created in this fiscal year to stimulate coordination and linkages within the CAA system. No new partnerships have been created this past year. However, some new programs have been created from existing partnerships that will directly benefit the population that OCCAA serves. One program that was recently developed is the Customer Assistance Program with Holland Board of Public Works. OCCAA provides eligibility determination for this program. Another program started this year with a local agency, Good Samaritan Ministries, is to provide rental unit inspections for one of the agency s housing programs. 3. Public Resources has your agency entered their public partnerships, affiliations, MOUs and Formal Agreements into FACSPro? Yes No If no, why not? 4. Private Resources - has your agency entered their private partnerships, affiliations, MOUs and Formal Agreements into FACSPro? Yes No If no, why not? 18 P age

20 Community Based Initiatives: (Section 676(b)(3)(D) of the CSBG Act) Please explain how your agency will use CSBG funds to support innovative community and neighborhood-based initiatives, those activities should be described. This may include fatherhood and healthy marriage initiatives and other initiatives with the goal of strengthening families and encouraging effective parenting. Please note: these activities relate to Innovative programs and activities by CAAs or other neighborhood groups. A-10 Support, as mentioned above, means that either CSBG funds can directly fund such an initiative or support an organization that provides such. Does your agency use CSBG funds to support such initiatives? (Check all that apply) Community-Based Initiatives Fatherhood Initiatives Initiatives to Strengthen Families Neighborhood-Based Initiatives Healthy Marriage Initiatives Initiatives on Encouraging Effective Parenting For all Initiatives checked, please explain: OCCAA helps support the Call of the Lakeshore. This social service hot-line makes many referrals to innovative community and neighborhood-based groups/organizations. OCCAA also regularly attends the two case collaborators groups that meet regularly in Ottawa County where information on new/innovative programs is disseminated. Representatives from the Great Start Collaborative and the Ready For School program, two groups dedicated to the healthy development and education of young children, attend these meetings and disseminate information in order to garner information and referral activities from OCCAA and other social service agencies in Ottawa County. As a result, OCCAA is also able to make direct client referrals to these initiatives. As mentioned previously, OCCAA has been involved in a newer county-wide initiative called Ottawa Housing Next, with the aim to explore the need and development of affordable housing in the county. Lastly, OCCAA has recently partnered with a local municipal utility provider to offer an energy savings incentive program for low-income customers (the Holland Board of Power Customer Assistance Program). If CSBG funds do not currently support initiatives to strengthen families and/or encourage effective parenting, describe efforts that will be undertaken in the upcoming program year to either provide or support such efforts. N/A 19 P age

21 Coordination with Employment & Training (E&T) Activities: (Section 676(b)(5) of the CSBG Act) If the agency provides E&T activities with Workforce Investment Act funds, the agency must describe how it will coordinate the provision of employment and training activities in communities with entities providing activities through statewide and local workforce investment systems. If the agency provides supportive services to Work First or Welfare-to- Work program participants with non-workforce Investment Act funds, describe the services provided. Note: The CSBG Act, Sec. 676 (b)(5) requires that CAAs coordinate the provision of employment and training activities with Workforce Investment Act programs. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which was signed into law on July 22, 2014, supersedes the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). WIOA requires priority be given to public benefits recipients, other low-income individuals, and individuals who are basic skills deficient when providing career and training services using WIOA Title I Adult funds. 1. Does the agency coordinate the provision of employment and training activities, as defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, with entities providing activities through statewide and local workforce development systems under such Act? A-11 Yes If Yes, describe how the agency will coordinate the provision of Employment & Training Activities under the WIOA. (For example, workforce services for out-of-school youth and career pathways approaches and bundled service strategies that support postsecondary education and training for adults, priority given to low-income individuals, etc.) No If No, does the agency provide supportive services (such as extended day care, transportation, skills enhancement, etc.) to Work First or Welfare-to-Work program participants with non-wioa funds? Yes No If yes, please list the fund source and services provided: 3. If No to all above, please explain why: OCCAA does coordinate with the local West Michigan Works! on appropriate referrals to OCCAA programs (ie: TAX Assistance Program, Utility Assistance Program, and the Migrant Assistance Program). Several other agencies in Ottawa County specialize in Employment & Training activities. OCCAA regularly refers clients to these programs. As a result, OCCAA does not have any formal programs in this category at this time. 20 P age

22 Specific Assistance to Individuals: A-12 Please explain if CSBG funds will provide specific assistance. If so, please explain how. Specific Assistance is considered to be anything of monetary value that is given to the client, i.e., cash, tokens, clothing, transportation, food, shelter, medical care, gas cards, etc. If specific assistance will be provided, it should also be listed in the budget on the Specific Assistance page. 1. Please list any Specific Assistance, a description of it and the need for CSBG funding: N/A 2. Please enter all CSBG funded specific assistance programs being recorded in FACSPro (Please include the CSBG Program Title, the FACSPro System Name, and the FACSPro Program Name: 21 P age

23 Public Hearing/Public Comment Period: A summary of the agency s proposed plan must be published and made available locally for review and comment by officials and other residents within the service area. The agency shall conduct at least one public hearing or provide for a public comment period following the guidelines in the CAP Planning Guidelines. A The agency has made (or will make) the plan available for review using the following process: Public Hearing Date of Public Hearing was/will be: Place of Public Hearing was/will be: Public Comment Period Inclusive Dates for Comment: Wednesday, August 10 through Wednesday, August 24, When and where was/will be the Notice(s) published or posted? List the dates and where below Date Saturday, Saturday, Where (name of newspaper, website, or public place posted) The Holland Sentinel The Grand Haven Tribune 8/10/16 8/24/16 The OCCAA website *Submit a pdf copy of proof of the published notice(s) with the CAP Application. 22 P age

24 A-14 Optional for New Programs: Please answer the following questions for any new programs your agency may have reservations about: N/A 1. Name of Program: 2. How does your Community Needs Assessment Support this initiative? (How is it helping the community?): 3. How did you pick this group or initiative over others: 4. How does this meet one of the CSBG Assurances (Section 676(b)(1) of the act): 5. How is this helping move clients out of poverty: 6. How will you determine eligibility: 7. Is this a reasonable use of funds: 8. Are there any possible conflicts of interests with CAA staff or board members: 9. What is the breakdown of the cost: 23 P age